HINGHAM, Mass. (CITC) -- A Massachusetts family is suing their son's school district after he was allegedly disciplined for using artificial intelligence despite no policy prohibiting him from doing so.
The lawsuit, recently filed in Massachusetts district court, says the Hingham High School senior received detention and a "D" grade on a history project after using artificial intelligence (AI). The student, identified as RNH, and a classmate used AI during the outline and research portions of their project, according to the lawsuit.
The teacher who assigned the project did not tell students they could not use AI during either stages, the lawsuit claims. However, RNH was allegedly disciplined for the use and the resulting "D" project grade dropped his overall grade for the class to a "C+."
RNH was allegedly alsobarred entry to the National Honor Society over the incident, an organization which recognizes high schoolers for high academic achievement.
The lawsuit argues RNH, an "exemplary" student-athlete with a high overall grade point overage, was unjustly disciplined. It claims there are no explicit rules against AI use in the Hingham Public Schools student handbook, nor was the technology considered a form of cheating in the handbook at the time of the incident.
RNH's family now fears their son will be rejected from elite colleges over the incident, the lawsuit says. They point to their son's desire to apply to Stanford University, noting the school is "one of the most competitive" in the U.S. where "4% of the applicant pool" was admitted last year.
"It is essential that any applicant have the most competitive transcript possible," the lawsuit says. "A C+ is a red flag that will be noticed far more quickly and glaringly than the highly competitive curriculum with by and large top grades, a 36 ACT (highest score possible) and a varied solid resume."
The lawsuit asks that RNH be inducted into the National Honor Society and his overall history class grade be bumped up to a "B," arguing the student will "suffer irreparable harm" if his transcript is not adjusted.
READ MORE |9 in 10 AI-produced essays fooling university professors, study finds
Hingham Public Schools did not respond to a request for comment.
Masterly Legal Solutions, a Texas-based law firm, warned Thursday that schools which fail to establish clear AI policies risk facing similar legal battles to that of Hingham Public Schools. The firm recommends such policies include, among other things, "clear definitions" for appropriate and inappropriate use of the technology.
"Beyond individual lawsuits, schools also risk long-term reputational damage if they are perceived as unprepared to handle the complexities of AI in education," the firm said. "Parents, students, and faculty expect educational institutions to provide clear guidance on how to use new technologies responsibly."
Masterly Legal Solutions also notes schools without AI policies may "lose the trust of their communities."
A July report by the U.S. Department of Education found only 15 states had developed guidance pertaining to AI use in schools. Massachusetts was not one of the 15 states.